Sealing-plug for electrical water-heaters.



R. A. BOWER. SEALING PLUG FOR ELECTRICAL WATER HEATERS. APPLICATION FILED FEB.9,1914.

1,103,171. Patented July 14, 1914.

' 11v VEN TOR. WITNESSES: M m

s. W BYWTW A TTORNE YS.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO, PHOTO-LITHO., WASHINGTON, D: C-

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT A. BOWER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO SALES SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION INCORPORATED, OF FORNIA.

Application filed February 9, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT A. BowER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sealing- Plugs for Electrical Water-Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to that type or class of electrical water heaters designed for attachment. to the water faucets within a house and employed for the heating of the water passing therethrough from the service pipe to the outlet nozzle of the faucet, and relates more particularly to the means for connecting the switch chamber to the water chamber, the object of the invention being to provide a water seal joint union between the water chamoer and the switch chamber of the casing or housing of the heating unit, so that when the connecting screw for the closing cover of the water chamber is released or disconnected for the removal of the said cover for obtaining access to the water chamber, the flow or leakage of water from said chamber into the switch chamber through the connecting means is provided against, thereby preventing short circuiting on a closing of the electrical circuit for the electrical heater.

To comprehend the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the heating unit, disclosing the water seal connection between the water chamber and the switch chamber thereof, and the attaching screws for the cover of the water chamber connected thereto, the heating coils and the coil support-ing posts being removed from the water chamber. Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken detail view of the water seal connection.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the water-box and 2 the switch box of the water heater, the two being separated by the usual insulation 3. Within the switch box 2. the terminals 4 and 4 are located, with which engage the switch contacts 5 and 5. These contacts are carried by the switch post 6 rotatably mounted wi hin the switch box chamber 7, the inner end of which extends through a bearing thimble 8 extended through the wall 3 of the water box 1, the switch post having connected to its outer Specification of Letters Patent.

COMPANY, or CALI- SEALING-PLUG- FOR ELECTRICAL WATER-HEATERS.

Patented J uly 14, 1914.

Serial No. 817,492.

end outside of the switch box chamber 7 the switch piece 9.

The bearing thimble 8 is formed with the screw-threaded portion 10 to screw into the inner end of the interiorly screw-threaded portion 11 of a sealing plug 12, which plug is seated within a counter-sunk seat 13 formed in the stud 14 projecting from the base 14 of the water-box 1 into the water chamber thereof. This plug is closed by the central partition 15, its outer end being formed with an interiorly tnreaded seat 16 for the reception of the threaded end 17 of the attaching-screw or post 18. The said post 18 holds the cover 19 for the waterbox 1 in proper position, there being interposed between the said cover and the water chamber 20 a rubber washer 21.

The inner end 22 of the plug 12 is slightly reduced to form a shoulder 23, which, when the said plug is moved inwardly its full distance, seats onto the shoulder 24 of the counter-sunk seat 13, which counter-sunk seat is gradually flared outwardly to receive a compressible tapered packing gland 25 fitted over the seating plug 12. This packing gland is firmly pressed into the seat 13 by means of the nut 26 screwed onto the exteriorly threaded portion 27 of the plug 12, there being interposed between the nut 26 and the face of the packing gland 25 a wear ring 28. By means of the packing gland 25 leakage of water between the water chamber 20 and the switch chamber 7 when the parts of the heating unit are in assembled position, is provided against.

Inasmuch as the threaded bore of the sealing plug 12 does not extend entirely through the same, being separated by the partition wall 15, it is obvious that as the post or screw 18 is disconnected therefrom to remove the cover 19, water from the chamber 20 cannot escape through the said plug into the switch box chamber 7 with the result that short circuiting is provided against by reason of non-water leakage into the said chamber.

For the proper insertion of the sealing plug and the connecting of the same with the bearing thimble 8, the said plug is preferably provided with a transverse slot for the reception of a suitable tool for the screwing of the plug onto the inner threaded end of the said bearing thimble.

Having thus described the invention what by Letters Patent is claimed as new and desired to be protected 1. In an electrical water heater provided with a water box and a switch box, the combination with a bearing thimble, of a sealing plug held Within a seat in the wall of the water box and provided with separated threaded seats in the ends thereof with one of which engages the threaded end of the bearing thimble, a cover for the water box, and an attaching post threaded to en gage the opposing threaded seat of the mentioned sealing plug for uniting the cover to the water box, said sealing plug forming a water seal union between the water chamber and the switch chamber of the electrical heater.

2. In an electrical water heater, the combination with a water box, of a stud projecting within the water chamber thereof and provided with a counter-sunk outwardly flaring seat, a switch box, an exteriorly threaded bearing stud, screw means engaging for compressing the packing gland tor the thimble, a sealing plug held provided with separated interiorly threaded seats in the respective ends thereof with one of which the bearing thimble engages for holding the same in the seat of the stud projecting into the water chamber of the water box, a tapered packing gland surrounding the sealing plug and fitted within the flaring seat of the mentioned the sealing plug making of a water tight o1nt, a cover for the water box, and an attaching post threaded to engage the sealing plug for uniting the cover to the water box.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT A. BOWVER.

Witnesses HARRY H. TOTTEN, D. B. Rrommns.

M Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

